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Drummer, bandleader, composer, poet and autodidact Allan Browne OAM was termed a “spiritual leader” by Bennett’s Lane Jazz Club owner Michael Tortoni, and by pianist Paul Grabowsky, “the single most

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Drummer, bandleader, composer, poet and autodidact Allan Browne OAM was termed a “spiritual leader” by Bennett’s Lane Jazz Club owner Michael Tortoni, and by pianist Paul Grabowsky, “the single most important jazz musician that Melbourne has ever produced”.

Five Bells (Vic), the remaining four members of the Allan Browne Quintet, are honoured to present ‘Songs in the Key of Al’: musical responses to the literary works of drummer/poet Allan Vincent Browne OAM

Over the course of a decade, the Allan Browne Quintet recorded five albums acclaimed by critics and peers, many of which took cues from great literary works such as Rimbaud’s The Drunken Boat and Homer’s Odyssey.

In the two years since Al passed away, the remaining four members of his quintet have been developing and performing a new repertoire under the name Five Bells, inspired this time by the vast catalogue of unpublished poems and musings by Al himself.

Each of Steve’s previous albums received four-star reviews in The Australian – ‘Puzzles’ (2014), ‘Steve Barry’ (2012), and Australia-Japan collaboration Orbiturtle’s ‘Sakura’ (2015).

‘Blueprints & Vignettes’ is the product of Steve’s recently completed PhD in Composition (Sydney Conservatorium of Music). A meeting point of classical modernism and melodic lyricism, the music dances between intricate forms and free improvisation as it explores harmonic hues and spontaneously re-imagines preset structures.

SPECIAL SUPPORT, JENNA CAVE KEYNA WILKINS: FOR THIS MOMENT

For This Moment: Jenna Cave & Keyna Wilkins is a new collaboration between Jenna Cave – composer & musician and Keyna Wilkins: Composer/Musician. Nothing is off limits, with broad influences ranging from folk melodies to impressionism, contemporary and free jazz to minimalism, and 20th century classical music to the blues.

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Mark Isaacs – Piano Loretta Palmeiro – Soprano Saxophone Built on a jazz/contemporary classical bedrock and with folkloric elements, Two Parts mimic and play, complement and contradict, create and evolve in real-time

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Mark Isaacs – Piano Loretta Palmeiro – Soprano Saxophone

Built on a jazz/contemporary classical bedrock and with folkloric elements, Two Parts mimic and play, complement and contradict, create and evolve in real-time composition. Musical qualities of the Iberian Peninsula such as flamenco and fado are also visited. What results can be brash, delicate, passionate or furious. But this is just the beginning…

Devastatingly accomplished pianist and composer Mark Isaacs has been exploring the spirit of “duende”, the dark and soulful current that can run through even the most animated music. In meeting and playing spontaneous inventions with creatively versatile saxophonist Loretta Palmeiro he found a like-minded soul and a spirited duo was born.

Loretta is the consummate saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist. An Australian Arts Council recipient, co-leader of the Spyglass Gypsies and director of Alma Orquestra, Loretta has played with Mara, Divergence and Sydney Jazz Orchestras, the Australian Symphony Orchestra, and is a casual musician with the QSO. Like Isaacs, Loretta’s studies in music originated in the classical hemisphere and have been coupled with an explorative passion for improvised music.

Some of Two Parts perform all original compositions by Mark and Loretta. They have made several radio appearances and were enthusiastically received when they featured at the 2017 Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival. With five years in the making this exciting duo will take listeners on a thrilling journey as they paint time with their new sounds.

“Loretta Palmeiro and Mark Isaacs unite as Some Of Two Parts to create music that is immediately engaging on so many levels. The ear and heart are transported through modern pastoral melodies, improvisations, abstract nuances, and a narrative that embraces contemporary classical, European folk, and jazz. I love their music.” – Guy Strazz

“How do you describe music? All the usual adjectives for good music would fit my description of Loretta and Mark’s “Some of Two Parts” collaboration. The music is indeed warm, excessive, honest, brilliant, educated, virtuosic, creative, innovative etc. In terms of sound it’s hard to think of contemporary musicians extracting more beautiful tones from their chosen instruments. That in itself represents a lifelong devotion to musical performance. There is also a great balance between simplicity, innovation and variation. Beyond the adjectives it’s lovely music!” – Sean Wayland

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Andrea and Tim’s second duo recording, ‘Consider This’, won the 2017 Jazz ‘Bell’ Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. Andrea also won the Art Music Award for Excellence in Jazz in 2017.

In this concert with Chris, they’ll showcase solo, duo and trio performances starting from 9pm. The night is a double headliner:

At 8pm, we have a special solo performance from one of the most creative drummers of this generation, Laurence Pike (solo drums sampler).

Best known for his duo albums with Mike Nock and his groups PVT and Triosk, Laurence has recently been developing a singular language alone at the drum kit, using the sampler to expand its sonic potential.

His solo album is due for international release in 2018, so discard conventional notions of time and the role of the drummer – explore an ecstatic musical space and preview Laurence’s forthcoming ‘Distant Early Warning’.

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To celebrate the launch of their debut studio recording 'Abstract Playgrounds' on Earshift Music, I Hold The Lion's Paw will assemble in Sydney for Summer Jazz. Led by Melbourne improviser/composer Reuben

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To celebrate the launch of their debut studio recording ‘Abstract Playgrounds’ on Earshift Music, I Hold The Lion’s Paw will assemble in Sydney for Summer Jazz.

Led by Melbourne improviser/composer Reuben Lewis, I Hold the Lion’s Paw represents a larger collective that has made music together for several years, and was the inaugural recipient of The Lebowski’s Creative Development Residency in 2017.

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To celebrate the launch of their debut studio recording 'Abstract Playgrounds' on Earshift Music, I Hold The Lion's Paw will assemble in Sydney for Summer Jazz. Led by Melbourne improviser/composer Reuben

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To celebrate the launch of their debut studio recording ‘Abstract Playgrounds’ on Earshift Music, I Hold The Lion’s Paw will assemble in Sydney for Summer Jazz.

Led by Melbourne improviser/composer Reuben Lewis, I Hold the Lion’s Paw represents a larger collective that has made music together for several years, and was the inaugural recipient of The Lebowski’s Creative Development Residency in 2017.

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Nancy Ruth‘s latest release Sangria Jam is a musical journey recounting her travels and life in Spain. Combining her influences of jazz, Latin and flamenco, she says: “I write what

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Nancy Ruth‘s latest release Sangria Jam is a musical journey recounting her travels and life in Spain. Combining her influences of jazz, Latin and flamenco, she says: “I write what flows freely… I’m not trying to create a fusion, I just play what I feel. I’m a product of my experience and surroundings.”

Having toured Spain and Latin America in 2017, Nancy is looking forward to returning to Australia with shows in Adelaide, Drysdale, Ballarat, Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney.

“Nancy Ruth, a powerful and talented singer, combines together jazz, flamenco and Latin rhythms in a natural way, creating a fresh genre that fits into all three idioms.” – Scott Yanow, Los Angeles Jazz Scene

Nancy Ruth has an incredible story about how she moved to Spain from Canada, on her own with hardly any resources – not even a mobile phone and limited Spanish. Despite starting with nothing and knowing no one, she persisted and fully integrated into living as a Spaniard, learning the culture, and becoming completely fluent in Spanish. She wrote an album all about that experience called Sangria Jam.

As Nancy puts it, “Sangria Jam refers to the way my loves of jazz, flamenco, and latin rhythms come together, as well as my mixed European bloodline, which in part traces back here to Spain. I’m not trying to create a fusion, but rather freely reflect my experience and surroundings. Sin prisas, pero sin pausas…this recording has taken its own time and course, just like a typical day here in Spain, where for all the plans you may make, life leads you around unexpected corners. The idea is to ride the wave… enjoy the phrase, devour the moments, and notice the magic that catches you off guard”.

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Pianist/composer Chris Cody returns to Foundry 616 with his “luminous jazz” after extensive touring in Europe last year, including appearances at the Ascona jazz festival in Switzerland and concerts around

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Pianist/composer Chris Cody returns to Foundry 616 with his “luminous jazz” after extensive touring in Europe last year, including appearances at the Ascona jazz festival in Switzerland and concerts around France, where he also spent over 20 years living and working before returning to Sydney a few years ago.

Underpinned by contemporary urban grooves, the originality, warmth, lyricism and humour of Cody’s music have seduced a wide and diverse public around the world, with his recordings also receiving rave reviews from the critics.

Tonight, expect an exciting mixture of brand new compositions from Chris’ latest recording project as well as some standards and French pieces featuring some of Australia’s best musicians.

Chris Cody has played extensively in clubs and festivals around USA, Europe and Africa. His music reveals not only his deep love of the jazz and classical traditions, but also the influence of the contemporary French, African and Arab musicians he worked with in Paris for many years.

He has headlined at many international festivals including Paris Quartiers d’Eté, London, Rome, Brussels Jazz Marathon, Marciac, Nantes, and Algiers and at a vast array of concert venues throughout the USA, Europe and Africa. He has worked with many outstanding international musicians including Rick Margitza, Roy Hargrove, Glenn Ferris, Carla Bruni, Annie Whitehead, Tina Arena, Michel Jonaz, Rhoda Scott and Herb Geller.

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“Some people got it, and some people don’t. Gregg Arthur is one of the ones who does.” John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald, December 2017 (Live performance) After several years recording and

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“Some people got it, and some people don’t. Gregg Arthur is one of the ones who does.” John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald, December 2017 (Live performance)

After several years recording and touring in the US with some of the finest musicians and producers in music, Australian singer and songwriter, Gregg Arthur has returned to Australia with critical acclaim.

While Arthur is recognised for his mastery of jazz phrasing and interpreting the standards he is equally at home in adult contemporary mode. His latest release LAST CALL (Fanfare, SONY) is a sensitive mix that sees him shine in both settings, including the title track (an original) that calls out to all those who have lost in love and find themselves alone in a bar late at night.

“Audiences can expect some classics, some originals and some truth. Every lyric of every song has some piece of me in it.” Sophisticated and original, Gregg captivates audiences all over the world performing the music they love in his own unique style. His voice is intimate, his delivery is relaxed and charming and he has a winning air of nonchalance. Iconic musicians sing his praises too, including the late Vincent Falcone, former pianist and conductor for Frank Sinatra, and the “Brush Master” Clayton Cameron, drummer for Tony Bennett and Sammy Davis Jr. Most recently in the US (since 2014), Gregg has been performing and writing with brilliant pianist Tom Ranier, and had a residency with bassist Pat Senatore and his trio at the prestigious Bel Air venue, Vibrato, owned and presented by Grammy award winning trumpeter Herb Alpert.

Now back in Australia, Gregg performs with the country’s best musicians: a seriously cool rhythm section that includes two highly respected jazz masters, Peter Locke on piano and Craig Scott on bass, with a couple of young guns – Tim Geldens on drums and Michael Avgenicos tenor sax.

Audiences are invited to come along and find out why Gregg Arthur is unmatched as a singer and performer – leading the legendary Tony Bennett to give him the hand-written note that now resides proudly on Arthur’s wall:

“I love the way you sing. You have a fan in the way you phrase… it’s perfect.” – Tony Bennett (hand-written note)

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American-born pianist/composer John Harkins has been one of the most sought after jazz pianists in Australia. He majored in classical piano at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music in New

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American-born pianist/composer John Harkins has been one of the most sought after jazz pianists in Australia. He majored in classical piano at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music in New York City and has worked with many well known American jazz musicians, including tenor saxophonist Scott Hamilton, singer Mark Murphy, and esteemed trumpeter Warren Vaché.

Harkins’ performs regularly at Foundry 616, and launched his last CD, Cognition, at the club last year. His new album also features his longtime bandmates, bassist Brendan Clarke (bass) and Andrew Dickeson (drums). The trio in recent years has performed and recorded with Charles McPherson, Eric Alexander, Terrell Stafford, Wycliffe Gordon and Andrew Speight.

Tonight’s performance will feature Harkins’ original compositions, in addition to some inspiring arrangements of Thelonious Monk, Wayne Shorter and Harkins’ take on some Jimmy Webb and Burt Bacharach.

“You’d have to be comatose to not feel how hard this music swings”. ( John Shand, SMH)

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“Like walking through a music festival in an Eastern European village” – Simon Marnie, ABC Radio Chasing the Moon brings alive the exuberant and romantic sounds of Gypsy Jazz in the tradition

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“Like walking through a music festival in an Eastern European village” – Simon Marnie, ABC Radio

Chasing the Moon brings alive the exuberant and romantic sounds of Gypsy Jazz in the tradition of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli.

There is a fresh flavour to the way different styles are combined – a mouth-watering mix of hot club and the blues, a dash of folk, lashings of swing, flirting with Latin rhythms and modern elements too. The joy is infectious.

The arrangements of Hot Club classics, jazz standards, French musette, Piaf and the occasional pop tune provide a framework in which each performer has a chance to shine.

Lead vocalist and violinist Kathy Bluff delivers her distinctive style of soulfulvocals and swinging jazz violin with warmth and charm. The violin intertwines with the glittering soprano and tenor sax of Paul Burjan who is also a dab hand on the flute. Well known gypsy jazz guitarist, John Blenkhorn provides the rhythmic pulse as well as Djangoesque solos played with flair and attention to detail. That essential Parisian ambience comes with the piano accordion of Garry Steel who is also a mesmerising performer.

Jessica Dunn on double bass delivers intricate and memorable solos and along with drummer Mike Quigley lays down the best of grooves, playing sweet and in the pocket.

Chasing the Moon’s CD, Nuages features a selection of gypsy jazz classics, Latin and swing and is available through CD Baby and iTunes.

Chasing the Moon has wowed audiences at jazz festivals around the country and created a very memorable night when they last played at Foundry 616 so come and join the band for a swinging night of great music.